Politics & International Affairs Major
Program Overview
Table of Contents
What is a politics & international affairs degree?
Virtually everything we do in life hinges on politics – education, housing, healthcare and how we interact with other nations. We study political science to become knowledgeable global citizens. Learning about other cultures and political systems sharpens communication, critical thinking and analysis skills to help us tackle political, social and economic problems.
Why study politics & international affairs at Furman?
Seventeen faculty members lead courses that focus on everything from public law and Congress to the politics of China and political philosophy. By design, the professor-to-student ratio remains 1:14, allowing you to get to know your faculty mentors and engage with them both in and outside of class. Plan a visit to Furman’s beautiful campus or start your application today.
How will you learn?
Engage deeply in the subject matter through in-class simulations of real-world political scenarios. Connect with your campus community through the Political Thought Club or award-winning Mock Trial program. Learn from acclaimed scholars through the Tocqueville Program, and nurture your passion for public policy through The Riley Institute. Participate in national and international internships in faculty-led programs in Washington, D.C., Scotland, Belgium or Canada. Or take a three-week May Experience excursion in Scandinavia, Europe, Latin America or China.
Conduct research with faculty and present at national conferences or publish your work to give you a leg up wherever you land after graduation. Address human rights issues in our local community by interning in our one-of-a-kind, in-house legal clinic, the Justicia Project. Register and educate new voters through our DinsVote student initiative. Take your first steps by contacting admissions or reading more about how to apply.
Careers for politics & international affairs majors
Critical thinkers and problem-solvers can thrive in any field.
Our graduates have excelled in fields and professions like these:
- Law
- Public policy
- Non-profit organizations
- Higher education
- The White House and executive branch agencies
- The military
- Sales, business development
- Public relations
- Investment firms and banking
Featured politics & international affairs courses
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95%participate in at least one internship
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93%are employed or continue their education post-graduation
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82%participate in at least one study away
Our faculty
David Fleming
Cleveland Fraser
Donald Gordon
Jim Guth
Katherine "Kate" Kaup 白荷婷
Robert L’Arrivee
Brent Nelsen
Buket Oztas
Elizabeth Smith
Critical thinkers and problem-solvers can thrive in any field. Our graduates have excelled in fields and professions such as law, public policy, nonprofits and government. Politics & international affairs majors often work as lawyers, public policymakers, nonprofit employees, government officials, members of the military and investment bankers.
On average, those with a political science degree in the U.S. earn about $46,000 per year. But the top 10% can earn salaries of more than $109,000, according to zippia.com.
The politics and international affairs B.A. program at Furman is a four-year program.
